5 ways to recognize you have a comma splice issue and how to fix it
The art of commas can be quite the struggle believe it or not… I should know. Commas can be used to indicate a small pause, an introductory phrase or word, in dates, before but, before and (with some exceptions), in a list like I am doing right now, and so on. With so many ways to use them trying to decipher when to hold back on them can be a challenge. Questions about where and when to use them may arise. That may lead to a second question of what to even replace them with. The problem here is called a comma splice. According to Grammarly Blog, a comma splice is, “When you join two independent clauses with a comma and no conjunction.”. Basically, what this means is you created a run-on sentence. Although all these grammatical words can sound intimidating this will hopefully break it down. I will be going over how to recognize commas splices and the three ways to fix them.
- recognizing you have a problem
Commas splices are actually an easy mistake to make. Most of the time (for me at least) I don’t look at my grammar while writing. This is usually something I go over once my work is. By the time I’m done I just skim through my work to fix the obvious mistakes. For most comma splices aren’t exactly a priority or even something noticeable, but fixing this can save you so much time, and enhance the flow of you’re writing. An example would be:
“We were about 10 minutes into our meal, I don’t remember exactly what we were having.”
You see how those could stand alone as independent sentences. That is where the problem becomes, but good thing God made such a helpful person like me to assist you.
2. Don’t sound dumb just use a conjunction
An easy fix to this comma splice epidemic is, to simply replace the commas with a conjunction. Instead of having two sentences that could stand alone separated by a comma add a word in between. An example of this can be found in Thomas King’s, The Truth About Stories:
“I’ve heard this story many times, and each time someone tells the story, it changes.”
This would be incorrect if he didn’t add the “and” after the comma. Easy peasy right? Well this is the first step of your recovery.
3. Those semicolons that no one knows how to use (except English majors) are going to come in handy
Another easy fix is a semicolon. These might seem a bit intimidating, and therefore people may be unsure on how to use them. In this case it is perfectly fine. As long as there is a relation between both phrases it is acceptable. An example of this can be found in Thomas King’s, The Truth About Stories:
“So here are our choices: a world in which creation is a solitary, individual act or a world in which creation is a shared activity.”
This would be incorrect it was, “So here are our choices, a world in which creation is a solitary, individual act or a world in which creation is a shared activity.”.
Not too bad right? Master this and those English majors writing won’t stand a chance against yours.
4. Be boring and make two sentences instead
I would say that the safest and easiest way to go (sometimes) is to just create two separate sentences. Replace the comma with a period and perhaps spice the sentences up a little. After all my hard work in providing you with the most useful information you’ll ever need I hope you’ll go with the other saucier options. Just because I am the most helpful writer, I’ll provide an example.
Incorrect: You suck at writing, learn to fix a comma splice.
Correct: You suck at writing. You should learn to fix a comma splice.
Correct with some Goya seasoning: You really suck at writing. The solution to the aforementioned is to read Sarah Ramirez’s amazing listicle on how to fix comma splices.
5. Don’t fall for it again
On one last note, use discourse conventions to decide on what to use when fixing a comma splice. In other word’s do not go using a semi colon if it does not fit what you are trying to communicate.
Well, I’m sure you have had the most amazing time reading this, but unfortunately all good things must come to an end. Take some time in you’re writing to focus on grammar. Learning to fix commas splices are a small thing that make a big difference. Just as a quick review the three ways to fix comma splices are:
1. Conjunctions
2. Semicolon
3. Two sentences
